New Store Mixed with Some Fishing

I have to say that this hour and fifteen minute drive to and from work doesn't add much to my fishing time. However having so many great systems so close to the shop, I have managed to get out for a hour or so a couple times a week. The new shop is up and running with new product coming in every week. We have been welcomed with open arms by most, and we are very excited to be in this new location.

The fishing is only going to get better from here, the water is coming down all over and starting to really clear up. We are starting to see some little black stones, and on cloudy days some Olives. Nymphing is still the most productive way to fish this time of year, walts worms, zebra midges, caddis larva, and pheasant tails are what most people are using.

The spring creeks are fishing well, not too much surface activity just yet. Fish are eating scuds and sow bugs like its their job.

Post Snowstorm Fishing

My life has been in shambles with the new store opening soon. However there is always time to fish, but with snowmelt chilling off the water it can be a bit tough. From spring creeks to limestone streams they all can be effected by the rapid cooling water, if you stick with it you will be rewarded. Fished with my buddy Andy the other day and it was a rough day, he managed to put a couple in the net, and I lost the only fish I hooked. Stoneflies, cress bugs, midge pupa, caddis larva have all worked for me over the past week on the water.

Central PA Trout

There is nothing like planning a day trip to central PA with a couple good friends and knowing the temps will not break out of the 20s all day. Oh well when the water is perfect and the fish are hungry you seem to forget all about your frozen hands and guides. Anytime I can get out on a system where the trout love big golden stone nymphs, ill be there regardless of temps. Kyle, Bryan, Rob and I hit the creek at about 10 am and the air temps were barely out out of the teens. But the fish didn't seem to care, they were hungry and wanted to eat anything big.

The Triple Stack Sculpin 

Small Stream Set Ups

I have found myself enjoying small stream fishing more this year. Whether its a stream full of wild brook trout that top out at eight inches, or a small spring creek that might have a 24 inch rainbow lurking under its banks, I love them all. Over the past couple years I have spent a lot of time fishing different types of small stream rods, most of which were 3wts. In this post I am going to give you a brief review of six different rods that I have fished.

1. Scott G2 883-4

Its been a while since I fished this rod, but I can still remember how much fun it was to fish. A perfect small stream dry fly rod. I would say that its only fault is that its not a very good nymphing rod. It is a very soft rod, that will lay a dry fly down anywhere you direct it.

2. Scott A4 803-4

Most of our client rods are A4s, and I have not had a single person speak poorly about them. A couple of my buddies bought this rod specifically for small stream situations, and love them. It is a little on the fast side, so you can nymph and toss streamers well with it. But its a 3wt, so by nature it will still present a dry fly with precision.

3. Winston BIIIX 863-4

This one is new to me, but talking to a couple of the guys at the shop, I can say its a great small to medium stream rod. It has a nice backbone to be accurate at distance, with great line pick up. Steve from Bryn Mawr loves his, and said to me the other day "its a perfect rod for PA Spring Creeks". I would have to agree.

4.Winston BIIILS 803-4

This rod has a lot of the same pros and cons of the G2, it is very slow, but a beautiful rod for small brook trout streams. It can be a little weak in the wind, or with multiple flies on the line. A great dry fly rod, or very small unweighted streamer rod. So if you prefer hiking into the backwoods and tossing royal wulffs or stimulators, this is the rod for you!  

5. Orvis Helios 2 842-4

Where to begin, this has to me my personal favorite. Yes it is a 2wt, but its a powerful 2wt, and can handle just about anything you throw at it. It will toss streamers, dry dropper rigs, and even straight double nymph rigs with an indicator. You can toss this rod a mile, and with a thicker butt section it adds a bit of leverage to fighting those bigger small stream fish. It is also a great PA Trico rod.

6. Orvis Recon 843-4
The Recon is the newest rod added to the Orvis line this past year. It is the stiffer brother to the super fine. This rod is perfect for small stream fishing with streamers and heavier nymph rigs. It will present a dry fly with ease, but is better for bigger bugs or windy days.

A Trip to the Great Lakes with the Mailman

Steve and I made a trip to Western New York in search of some large lake run brown trout. With the fishing reports all reading on the positive side, the fishing pressure was very high. However fishing the great lakes is often times very busy but if you walk a little further or get up a half hour earlier, you
can always find water. With large trout swimming all around you, sometimes you just forget about the people fishing next to you.

Most of the time when people think about Great Lakes fishing its all about bright and flashy flies. Sometimes you need to think more on the natural side, or the trout side if you will. Large oversized trout flies with very little flash often times make the difference between a good day and an amazing day. Stonefly patterns always take up a whole side of my fly box, and are a go to pattern anywhere I travel for steelhead. The other side is full of oversized trout flies such as franchies, caddis larva, and hares ears. You always have to have some bright stuff, but brown, black, and olive are always the first choice in color for me.

Steve and I had a killer time, check out the photos.

Honeymoon Fishing - Part Two

The second day of fishing on the honeymoon took place on the flats. Elizabeth caught her first bonefish on the fly, it was awesome to see her do work on the bow. It was also my first time on the flats for bonefish. We had a great time, and even saw a couple permit. Enjoy!